Noise Abatement Ordinance (NAO) (NAO)
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 7 Emission limitation measures for new stationary installations
1 Noise emissions from new stationary installations shall be limited as directed by the enforcement authorities insofar as: a. this is technically and operationally feasible and economically acceptable; and b. the noise exposure level resulting from the installation alone does not exceed the planning values. 2 The enforcement authorities shall relax the requirements in cases where compliance with the planning values would place a disproportionate burden on the installation and there is an overriding public interest, particularly regarding questions of spatial planning. The impact thresholds must not, however, be exceeded. 3 In the case of new air-to-water heat pumps that are primarily used for space heating or for heating drinking water and whose noise emissions do not exceed the planning values, further emission limitation measures in accordance with paragraph 1 letter a shall only be taken if a limitation of emissions of at least 3 dB can be achieved with no more than one per cent of
Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the O of 16 June 1997, in force since 1 Aug. 1997 (AS 1997 1588). Para. 3 — Inserted by No I of the O of 29 Sept. 2023, in force since 1 Nov. 2023 (AS 2023 582).
Art. 8 Emission limitation measures for modified stationary installations
1 Where a stationary installation that already exists when this Ordinance comes into force is modified, the noise emissions from the new or modified parts of the installation must be limited as directed by the enforcement authorities as far as this is technically and operationally feasible and economically acceptable. 2 If the installation is significantly modified, the noise emissions from the installation as a whole must be limited at least to the extent that the impact thresholds are not exceeded. 3 Conversions, extensions and operational changes carried out by the person responsible for the installation constitute significant modifications to stationary installations if it is anticipated that the noise exposure level will rise perceptibly as a result either of the installation itself or of the increased demand on existing transport facilities. The rebuilding of an installation constitutes a significant modification irrespective of the circumstances. 4 If a new stationary installati
Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the O of 30 June 2010, in force since 1 Aug. 2010 (AS 2010 3223). Para. 4 — Amended by No I of the O of 16 June 1997, in force since 1 Aug. 1997 (AS 1997 1588).
Art. 9 Increased demand on transport facilities
The operation of new or significantly modified stationary installations must not lead to a situation in which: a. owing to the increased demand made on a transport facility, the impact thresholds are exceeded; or b. owing to the increased demand made on a transport facility in need of remediation, the noise exposure level rises perceptibly.
Art. 10 Soundproofing measures in existing buildings
1 If the requirements specified in Articles 7 paragraph 2 and 8 paragraph 2 or in Article 9 are not fulfilled by new or significantly modified public or licensed stationary installations, the enforcement authorities shall require the owners of existing buildings exposed to noise to soundproof the windows of rooms sensitive to noise in accordance with Annex 1. 2 With the approval of the enforcement authorities, building owners may carry out other structural soundproofing measures provided these reduce the noise within the rooms to the same extent. 3 Soundproofing measures need not be taken if: a. no perceptible reduction of the noise level in the building is to be expected; b. they conflict with the overriding interest of preserving local character or monuments; c. the building is due to be demolished within three years of putting the new or modified installation into service, or the rooms concerned will be converted to purposes not sensitive to noise within this period.
Art. 11 Costs
1 The person responsible for the new or significantly modified installation bears the costs of limiting the emission it causes. 2 If the building owner is required to take soundproofing measures according to Article 10 paragraph 1, the person responsible for the installation also bears the customary local costs proven to be due for: a. engineering and supervision of works; b. soundproofing of the windows in accordance with Annex 1 and the resulting necessary adaptations; c. the financing if the person responsible has failed to contribute despite being requested to do so by the building owner; d. any fees due. 3 If the building owner is required to take soundproofing measures according to Article 10 paragraph 2, the person responsible for the installation bears the customary local costs proven to be due insofar as these do not exceed those under paragraph 2. The building owner bears the remaining costs. 4 Where the need for emission limitation measures or soundproofing measures arises a
Art. 12 Inspection
The enforcement authorities shall inspect the new or modified installation within one year of its being put into service to check whether the emission limitation and soundproofing measures ordered have been taken. In the event of any doubt, they carry out tests to assess the effectiveness of the measures.
